Lorenzo Pellegrini is flattered by the comparisons with Roma legend Francesco Totti, but insists ‘there will never be another like him’.
The 23-year-old has continued to impress at the Olimpico this season and has continuously been likened to former heroes, most of all the former Roma talisman Totti.
The Italy international has tried to shift the pressure off his shoulders, despite admitting that the comparisons are most flattering.
Lorenzo Pellegrini is flattered by the comparisons with Roma legend Francesco Totti, but insists ‘there will never be another like him’.
The 23-year-old has continued to impress at the Olimpico this season and has continuously been likened to former heroes, most of all the former Roma talisman Totti.
The Italy international has tried to shift the pressure off his shoulders, despite admitting that the comparisons are most flattering.
“I will never be Totti, he is a legend, a champion, a point of reference,” Pellegrini told the Corriere dello Sport. “Obviously, I’m very pleased to hear these things said, but Francesco is Francesco and there will never be another like him.
“Totti is Totti, I’m Lorenzo. I can’t tell you who I’m similar to, I don’t like to make comparisons. I only try to be the best Lorenzo I can be for Roma.”
With Serie A currently suspended, Pellegrini takes us through a day in the life of a football player in quarantine.
“I wake up early to take my two dogs out. I spend a lot of time with my daughter Camilla and my wife.
“Then I eat lunch, and in the afternoon I carry out the training programme I receive daily from the staff at Roma.”
Pellegrini played his first game against Cesena on March 22, 2015 and revealed that the build-up was more exciting than the actual match.
After being subbed on by former coach Rudi Garcia with 23 minutes left to play of the 1-0 win at the Dino Manuzzi, he has since played 72 games in Serie A for the Giallorossi.
“Rudi Garcia knocked on the door of all the players to wish them good luck and to give them the last directions. That day, he told me to get ready.
“I was scared. It was a difficult period and we were winning 1-0 after a goal from Daniele [De Rossi]. Once I entered the pitch, everything became a lot easier. The before and after was more exciting than the game itself.
“As a Roman and a Roma fan, the two points of reference for me have always been Francesco [Totti] and Daniele [De Rossi]. The same goes for my cousins, my father, my whole family.”
Pellegrini has revealed that he also played tennis when he was younger and admires two greats like Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
“Tennis is the sport I follow the most [outside of football],” he said. “It’s very different from football, being an individual sport where you can only count on your own strength.
“I played as a child, but I’m not very good. I like to watch it more than to play. My favourite tennis players are Federer and Djokovic.”
Roma sit fifth in Serie A as the season has been interrupted and are three points behind Atalanta at fourth, but the Orobici have one game in hand on the Giallorossi.